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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=127023116-03022010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>Hopefully I am doing this correctly <first post/reply
newbie>.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=127023116-03022010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=127023116-03022010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>First of all, thanks to everyone for the great info. It is
exciting to see so much support.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=127023116-03022010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=127023116-03022010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>If I understand correctly, Outlook will not connect to a Linux
mail server? :(</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=127023116-03022010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=127023116-03022010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>Also, I will be calling NetDirect. They obviously have a great
rep.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=127023116-03022010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=127023116-03022010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>Thanks again,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=127023116-03022010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>Bill</FONT></SPAN></DIV><BR>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT size=2 face=Tahoma><B>From:</B> kwlug-disc-bounces@kwlug.org
[mailto:kwlug-disc-bounces@kwlug.org] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Bill
Hazelwood<BR><B>Sent:</B> February 2, 2010 10:11 AM<BR><B>To:</B>
kwlug-disc@kwlug.org<BR><B>Subject:</B> [kwlug-disc] Best Server
Distribution??<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=583450914-02022010><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Good
morning,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=583450914-02022010><FONT size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=583450914-02022010><FONT size=2 face=Arial>In spirit of the
recent post on what would be the best desktop distribution, I would like to ask
the same question for servers, but first a little background. I appolise, but
this is going to be long winded.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=583450914-02022010><FONT size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=583450914-02022010><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I am the 'IT guy'
for an elevator manufacturer in Kitchener. I use the IT term loosely as I have
no formal training, I am 100% 'home-grown'. I solve problems the hard way
(lots of head scratchin' and bangin') and if that does not work, I am
on the phone to Microsoft. I have been ITing for 10 yrs and I hold Microsoft
wholely responsible for my hairloss and premature greying.
LOL!!!</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=583450914-02022010><FONT size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=583450914-02022010><FONT size=2 face=Arial>We are currently
running Microsoft's SBS 2003 server suite and we are looking to upgrade. I
naturally looked to Microsoft for my next headache... I mean solution. After
all, once you become a sheep, what else can you do??? This is where the problem
begins, upgrading to Big Mic's newest offering is going to cost the company
close to $50k in hardware and software (<SPAN class=583450914-02022010><FONT
size=2 face=Arial>We have 40 desktops, 2 remote offices and 40 mobile/PDA
users.</FONT></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=583450914-02022010>)</SPAN>. Ouch??? Are they kidding, who can afford
that??? What am I to do, the bosses are not going to be happy with that request.
So, I started looking for alternatives.</FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=583450914-02022010><FONT size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=583450914-02022010><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I found many stories
of users with Linux machines that just work. No problems, no worries and best of
all, no costs. The years of Microsoft abuse has left me very skeptical. Is this
possible? Can servers just work? Is it possible to have a 'lights out' server
room? </FONT></SPAN><SPAN class=583450914-02022010><FONT size=2 face=Arial>For
the most part, I am a Linux blank slate. I spent a bit of time with QNX about
15yrs ago and I am an original DOS guy. I am no stranger to the command
line, however I am quite rusty for sure. </FONT></SPAN><SPAN
class=583450914-02022010><FONT size=2 face=Arial>So, where does that leave
me???</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=583450914-02022010><FONT size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=583450914-02022010><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I have grand plans
and I am looking for direction on how to get there. What distro do I use? I have
been given the OK to take some training courses and have looked at Red Hat and
Ubuntu. If I trained in Red Hat and later used Ubuntu (or something else) would
the training be a waste? I understand that there will be a steep learning curve
and that I will need to purchase support, but I figure that in the end I will be
better off.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=583450914-02022010><FONT size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=583450914-02022010><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Here are some
details;</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=583450914-02022010><FONT size=2 face=Arial>- Continue to run
WinXP as the desktop OS for the users</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=583450914-02022010><FONT size=2 face=Arial>- Need Microsoft SQL
Server</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=583450914-02022010><FONT size=2 face=Arial>- Need (I
think) Microsoft Server for other Server applications (AutoCAD, Alarm
System, Terminal Server for remote offices, Desktop Antivirus
server)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=583450914-02022010><FONT size=2 face=Arial>- DHCP, DNS, PDC,
File, Email, Security, Backup, Print and Fax servers to be some flavour of
Linux</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=583450914-02022010><FONT size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=583450914-02022010><FONT size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=583450914-02022010><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Thank-you to all for
any support you can give.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=583450914-02022010><FONT size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=583450914-02022010><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Best
regards,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=583450914-02022010><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Bill
Hazelwood</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=583450914-02022010><FONT size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=583450914-02022010><FONT size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=583450914-02022010><FONT size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
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